Things that make me feel good.

Things that make me feel good.

A hug from one of my kiddos, a sweet text from my husband, putting a smile on someone’s face, my parents, helping someone, a massage, yoga class, a good work-out, seeing someone succeed, being outdoors, watching my kiddos do something they love....the list goes on and on. 

But, today, I want to write about something else that makes me feel good: nutrition. 

What makes me really, really feel good is putting the right nutrients in my body.  I am trying to eat for peak performance but also to achieve overall wellness and to just plain feel good. 

I have done a lot of research and reading over the years to find the right fuel for my body.  A few things recently I have discovered on my journey that are making me feel great:

1)     Apple Cider Vinegar: Was reading a book written by an endurance athlete who discussed his experience with Apple Cider Vinegar and the benefits. His points were so compelling; I decided to do a little research of my own. 

The body is constantly trying to achieve inner balance and a state of equilibrium.  Apple Cider Vinegar helps the body maintain a healthy alkaline PH level.  Research shows higher acid levels (lower PH levels) lead to lack of energy and higher incidence of infection.  So, the ACV alkalizes my body’s PH.  This is especially great in the morning if you drink coffee.  It will help to offset that. 

Upon drawing conclusions from everything I had read, I thought I would give it a try.  I started about 4 weeks ago putting two tbsp in a large glass of water in the morning before my nutri-bullet drink.  I cannot speak for everyone, but I can say what I have experienced: increase in energy, clearer skin, decrease in nasal and sinus congestion and feel great! 

The apple cider vinegar must be raw, organic and unpasteurized.  If it is not, it loses all of its nutritional benefits.  Apple Cider Vinegar is a product of fermentation.  The juice from the organic apples turns to apple cider then to apple cider vinegar.  These two fermentation processes make this drink the powerhouse that it is.

I use the Bragg’s brand.  But, there are a few others out there.

Ingredients:

Certified Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar is unfiltered, unheated, unpasteurized and 5% acidity. Contains the amazing Mother of Vinegar which occurs naturally as strand-like enzymes of connected protein molecules

INTERNAL BENEFITS:	EXTERNAL BENEFITS:
Rich in enzymes & potassium Support a healthy immune system Helps control weight Promotes digestion & ph Balance Helps soothe dry throats Helps remove body sludge toxins	Helps maintain healthy skin Helps promote youthful, healthy bodies Soothes irritated skin Relieves muscle pain from exercise

2) Coconut Water: It’s an all-natural way for me to get electrolytes (and replace electrolytes lost after a work-out).  Less sugar and sodium content compared to most sports drinks on the market while still providing potassium, calcium and chloride.   

3) Raw honey: Winnie the Pooh was certainly onto somethingJ Raw, unpasteurized honey is more digestible than any other sweetener and also contains enzymes to help the food along. 

The rapid absorption of honey monosacharides, and the slower metabolism of fructose content make honey a popular source of energy for athletes, particularly endurance athletes.

Honey is composed primarily of carbohydrates (natural sugars) and water, as well as trace enzymes, minerals, vitamins, and amino acids. 1 Tsp of honey is about 21 calories full of nutrients and all natural.

I put raw honey in some of the smoothie drinks I make.

4)   Maca Root: Peruvian Ginseng. This raw maca root powder is packed with amino acide, vitamins and minerals.  For athletes, maca has been shown to improve stamina and reduce the onset of exercise –induced soreness.  I add this to my morning smoothie.
5)     Spirulina: According to my research, Spirulina has the highest % of complete protein by weight of any food.  Packed with vitamins, phytonutrients and antioxidents, studies have shown for endurance athletes a correlation with expedited recovery.  I put this or Hemp seeds in my morning smoothies.  The Spirulina has a bit of a seaweed taste (just wanted to make you aware).
6)     Hemp Seeds: great balance of Omega 3 and Omega 6 and is a high quality, complete raw food protein.  From my research, although both Hemp and Spiruluna are raw protein sources, they possess a few different benefits making them both important.  So, I use both. 

I have been putting a lot of great nutrients in my body over the last several weeks and have been feeling amazing.  It’s hard to say which superfood  I put in me makes me feel one way or another. All I can say is I have been feeling great! If I could bottle up this feeling and sell it, I would:-)

Please don’t take my word for it---do your own research, experiment, and as always, everything in moderation.

Studies of varying legitimacy do exist as well as anecdotal experiences/accounts.  But, large scale peer reviewed trials require funding.  For-profit companies generally do not want to put the money into validating all-natural products/remedies.  So, again…please research and derive your own opinions from the information you find.

And if you have any tips on nutrition for optimum health, please share!  I would love to hear!